History of Providence, KY
Part 9
by Frances Bassett Price

Early Lawyers

Providence, being strictly from the beginning an agricultural and industrial settlement and now a county seat town, has had few lawyers.

The earliest of whom we have any account was Dixon E. Given, son of Judge Eleazar, the pioneer and Mary Savage Given. He was born here Oct. 8, 1824, died Sept. 23, 1850 at Hickman, Kentucky. When he was fourteen years of age he entered the office of Orlean Bishop, county clerk of Hopkins county as a deputy and to study law. He practiced here and at Madisonville, later going to Morganfield, then to Hickman where he died while serving as circuit court clerk. The following letter concerns this appointment:

"Frankfort, Ky., Jan 21st, 1845.
Hon. Wm. Fowler,

Dear Sir:
My young friend, Dixon Given, is an applicant for the office of the circuit court in the new county of Fulton just established. He is a young man of fine talents, exceptionable habits, of excellent standing and in every way qualified for the discharge of the duties of the office. if you can consistently with your sense of duty appoint him it will be received as an act of personal kindness to your old friend,

Archibald Dixon"
(Lieut. Governor, later Governor)

James M. Givens, son of John Weir and Margaret Ross Givens was born in Providence Feb. 14, 1871 and was a honor graduate of Centre College of Danville. He practiced the legal profession here and later went to Oklahoma where he died. He drilled the first oil well in the vicinty of Muskogee, Okla., and was police judge there at the time of his death in 1933.

D. B. Baker, a man of great ability and keen acumen as a lawyer, was the son of D. V. and Florella Lisman Baker, prominent citizens of the county. Before coming to Providence about 1900 he had practiced law in Dixon with his uncle, the Hon. Marion Baker, and also in Texas.

J. Fleming Gordon of Madisonville , son of the noted W. L. Gordon and Cordelia Arnold Gordon located in Providence in the early 80's and practiced his profession. He was regarded as an able and honest lawyer.

Forest Langley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Langley, practiced law in Providence from 1885 to 1900. He was a very learned and able legal light.

J. Cleve Cannaday was born near Providence, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cannaday, both of pioneer families in the locality. He began the practice of the legal profession here in 1907.

Cass L. Walker came to Providence in 1917 from Sebree, Ky. He has been county attorney and is now located in Dixon.

Vert C. Fraser came to Providence from Ballard county where he was circuit court clerk and a member of the state legislature. He has served as county attorney in this county.

W. Fred Hume a graduate of Transylvania College, Lexington, Kentucky came here in 1915 as a member of the school faculty. He later became connected with the Ruckman Coal Co., and was admitted to the bar a few years ago.